Staff Sgt. William Powell scans a common access card that is register with Defense Biometric Identification System, known as DBIDS, a new security tool at the West Gate Thursday. To gain access to Peterson Air Force Base all Department of Defense identification card holders are required to register with DIBIDS. Peterson AFB is the first Air Force stateside base to implement this system, which will eventually be implemented at all government installations.

Gate access transitions, system shapes security

by Thea Skinner
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

2/9/2009 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Whip out those identification cards and register for the Defense Biometric Identification System, known as DBIDS, soon.

All gates at Peterson AFB began partial implementation of the new security system Feb. 2. In order to access the base, all Department of Defense identification card or common access card holders must register with DBIDS before March 2.

After March 2, any ID card holder not registered in the DBIDS system will be sent to the Visitor Center to register before being allowed base access.

All retirees, dependents 10 years of age and older, active duty personnel along with anyone accessing the base are required to register for DBIDS. Once registered in the new DBIDS security system, any access to the base requires scanning a DOD or CAC card at the gate. The first week of partial implementation of the new security system resulted in traffic back-ups, which were somewhat expected at the start of a transition of high magnitude. More than 10,000 DOD identification card holders are assigned to Peterson AFB and many others, including family members and retirees, access the base daily.

"The biggest kink in the system is having the IDs out," said Master Sgt. Brian Villaverde, 21st Security Forces Squadron. "It takes 0.6 of a second to scan each identification card."
Those entering base may make the transition smoother by allowing more time to arrive on base, and remove their identification card or CAC card from any plastic casing to provide to security officers at the gates.

Requiring children who are 10-years-old and above to register for DBIDS provides added security to track a child if missing, said 1st Lt. Tamara Fischer-Carter, a member of the 21st Security Forces Squadron and key player in DBIDS planning.

DBIDS is scheduled for full implementation March 2. At that time, all unregistered identification card holders will be directed to register for DBIDS before being granted base access. People with special needs who cannot travel to the base during the Monday to Friday registration hours may call before traveling by contacting Master Sgt. Tristum Darby, DBIDS provost marshal site manager, at 719-556-3484.

For more information, contact the Military Personnel Section at 719-556-5740.